MADISON TWP – The Madison Local Education Association said the union is “cautiously optimistic” about reaching a tentative agreement with the school board before Christmas break.
“Since the last board meeting, the association and the board has agreed to talk without a mediator,” union representative Josh Boliantz told Richland Source Wednesday evening. “They’ve had three productive meetings without the mediator and plan to meet a fourth time tomorrow.”
Superintendent Rob Peterson also expressed optimism that the parties are “very close” to reaching an agreement.
Boliantz, a ninth and 10th grade shop teacher, said if negotiations proceed in a positive manner, he believes the parties could reach an unofficial agreement by Christmas break. However, the union likely wouldn’t be able to meet for a vote until January.
Members of the MLEA have been working without a contract since their previous agreement with the district expired on July 1. The Madison Local School Board declared an impasse in negotiations on Sept. 29, according to an MLEA press release.
The union implemented a work-to-contract measure shortly after, meaning they work only during the hours laid out in their previous contract and not take work home with them or cover for employees who are out sick.
Boliantz said it was a difficult decision to make.
“The teachers are anxious to end the work-to-contract because we know our students are feeling it,” he said. “We would like to go back to providing that world-class education to our students.”
At Wednesday night’s school board meeting, community member Brandi Walker voiced concerns about the strain students felt during negotiations.
“Our students are having to combine classes together in the library or the gym for multiple class periods a day many times,” said Walker, who wore a red shirt that read ‘MLEA Madison Family Union Strong.’
“They’re not getting things graded or returned to them very quickly because the teachers are only working from bell to bell because of the district issues that are going on,” she said.
Walker added that students have heard rumors and are concerned about their teachers going on strike.
“These are things that our students shouldn’t have to be concerned with,” she said.
Boliantz said there had been a possibility of a strike at one point during negotiations, but he doesn’t foresee it happening in the immediate future.
“With the productivity of the last few meetings, hopefully that is off the table now,” he said. “I don’t want to say that it will never happen, but I’m optimistic that things are moving in the right direction.”
Even if negotiations were to go sour, Boliantz said a strike would not happen overnight. The process for initiating such action takes about two months.
“It would have to go fact-finding before that. So there’s a lot before we get to that point,” he explained.
Numerous educators and community members attended the meeting wearing red in support of the union. Some even came from other districts.
“The Madison Local would like to thank Ashland, Hillsdale, Ontario, Lexington, Northwestern and Mansfield for sending teachers to support us tonight,” Boliantz said.
